Chorley boss: Let's win cup final for Gerry

12:26pm Wednesday 2nd April 2008

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CHORLEY manager Tony Hesketh has dedicated tonight's Trophy final against Southport to former Magpies boss Gerry Luczka.

Hesketh, who has been in charge at Victory Park for 12 games, took over from Luczka at the start of February and guided them to a well-earned win over Conference North side Burscough in the semi-final of the Lancashire FA United Co-Operative Challenge Trophy.

By that time, they had already overcome Lancaster City, Kendal Town and Fleetwood Town.

And Hesketh admitted it was very much his predecessor's work that earned them their final spot.

He said: "To be honest, I feel like a bit of an impostor. I've only contributed with the semi-final victory. They had got through three rounds before I'd taken over.

"Gerry Luczka should take all the credit for this one and we'll be looking to win it for him."

The Magpies have been very much the giant-killers of the competition this season, although their wins have been convincing, with nine goals scored and only two conceded in their march to the final.

And Hesketh is quite happy with that tag again tonight as they look to claim their biggest scalp yet.

He said: "Every team we've beaten has been from a higher division. I've been in and around non-league football long enough to know that any team can produce a performance on their day."

The Magpies boss had a brief spell as caretaker manager of tonight's opponents almost three years ago and was also a beaten finalist by the Haig Avenue outfit when he was in charge of Lancaster City.

He said: "I'm still a little bit bitter about not being offered the job on a permanent basis, but I don't do revenge, whatever will be will be. It would be nice, though, to get one over on them."

Certainly the omens are good for the Magpies as they enter the match at the Lancashire FA Headquarters in Leyland.

Chorley have lifted this particular Trophy 14 times, more than anyone else. This is their 31st appearance in the final and, not only did they win it 50 years ago this year, but also 25 years ago too - a run that Hesketh was eager to keep going.

He added: "Maybe that's a significant number for the club. So, if history is anything to go by, we should win, although I'm sure Southport will have other ideas."